FOLLYFOOT AND THE LIGHTNING TREE

Paul A sent me this video showing the group The Settlers performing the Follyfoot theme song, Lightning Tree. I totally remember this theme tune, do you?

Follyfoot - The Settlers - YouTube

I watched Follyfoot as a kid back in the early Seventies, as did the Missus on the continent. There were lots of big collars, flared trousers, turtle necks, side burns and suede jackets typical of the time, except in this show there were lots of horses.

A sort of Magpie mashed up with Black Beauty!

I can't say it was a favourite programme of mine but it formed part of that amazing menu of interesting kids TV we enjoyed back then.

Oddly enough there's a village called Follyfoot near Leeds about half an hour from Moonbase. It looks rustic enough to be the real thing!

 Did you watch Follyfoot?

HORSING AROUND

As Scott mentioned them too, I too love the look of this Breyer Black Beauty plastic horse.

It reminds me of those fab Palitoy horses available for Action Man I had in the 60's. In fact I may have had some Breyer figurine horses as well as a kid, straddling as they do both toys and models.

Black Beauty was of course a TV show, based on the original book, which aired in 1972. I was 11 at the time, on the cusp of what was called the first year at Secondary school back then [now Year 7].

The theme tune to TV's Black Beauty is unforgettable really. Remember it?

Black Beauty shouldn't be confused with that other equine TV show, Follyfoot, an international hit, which my Missus watched on the Continent. In an odd twist of fate, Follyfoot village is about 40 minutes drive from Moonbase!

I never had any of the annuals from these shows but I often see them in charity and antique shops.

I did find a beautiful boxed black horse kit at a car boot sale years ago, Black Fury by Aurora.

Did you have any horses, plastic or otherwise? Maybe you still do?

Do you Remember Follyfoot?

In better times the Missus and I drive around the fine landscapes between Leeds and Harrogate; gently undulating land speckled with stony villages hidden away.

One of them is Follifoot.

I used to watch a TV show called Follyfoot as a young foal as did my Missus on the European mainland on the ZDF channel.

Whether Follyfoot was filmed in the village of Follifoot or inspired by it I'm unsure although Wikipedia says the shows were filmed near Harrogate so it could well be. I wonder if the lightning tree is still there?

Me and the Missus both remember the tree, the horses, the old fella and the beautiful young things wearing flares and gaberdeens enjoying the fresh country air. I can't recall anyone's names but seeing the village sign for Follifoot always makes me think of Saturday mornings watching it. 

Anyhows here's the memorable and dare I say disquieting theme tune I'm sure you'll remember! https://youtu.be/oVo7BFss8Vc

There are lots of full episodes of Follyfoot on You Tube too! Seventies hairstyles heaven!

Not sure if there were any collectables, although I have found a few jigsaws in the past. There must have been an annual. We lived for annuals back then!

Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised when I got this email from reader Paul in NZ. Such a small world!

Hi Woodsy,

One of the magazines I get is Best of British, although NZ is a few issues behind Britain.

Looking at the contents list for the current issue on line, dated March 2020, I noticed that it contained an article on Gillian Blake, who played Dora in the TV series Follyfoot, which I recall watching. 

You have mentioned this a few times, so I assume you were also a fan, and thought it might be of interest.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Adams
New Zealand

Anyone else remember Dora or Follyfoot?